Make sure you:
- Place your baby with their hips and back against the back of the seat.
- Position the shoulder straps so they are at or below shoulder level.
- Tighten the shoulder straps so they are snug with no slack. You shouldn’t be able to pinch excess harness webbing together. This is called The Pinch Test.
- Place the harness clip so it is in the middle of your child’s chest, at armpit level.
And do not:
- Have thick layers of clothing under the harness.
- Place any padding or cushions behind your child unless it comes with the car seat.
- Place blankets beneath or wrap blankets around your baby. You may place a blanket over your baby once the harnesses are fastened.
Dressing your child in a heavy jacket/snowsuit, adding additional padding behind their back, or wrapping a blanket around them increases the space between your child’s back and the car seat and gives a false indication that the harness is tightened sufficiently, when in reality, it is not.